Coaches, scorekeepers and parents are encouraged to report youth sports events on this interactive blog. Selected reports will be used in print as the youth sports highlight of the day on the Plus section cover.

Youth sports for the week ending July 18

To file your results, just add your report as a comment here. Look for information from the youth sports blog in the newspaper during the week. Check the daily youth sports highlight on the bottom left corner of Plus section cover.

Make sure comment clearly indicates the event, the score, the teams involved, and the sport. There shouldn’t be more than three players used in each comment. Please use an individual statistic (e.g.- points, home runs, goals) to highlight what each player did well.

4 Responses to Youth sports for the week ending July 18

Marin FC play in Denmark’s 2010 Dana Cup; Group Stage and Play-off games

The Road to the Championship Marin FC Girls U14

As a precursor to the Gothia Cup in Sweden (7/19-24) next week, Marin FC sent two teams to play in the Dana Cup, played out near the Northern tip of Denmark in Frederikshaven and only a 4 hour ferry ride from Gothenburg, the home of the Gothia Cup. With teams from 20 countries represented, this tournament provides excellent preparation for The Gothia Cup, a.k.a. The World Cup For Kids.

After the initial 3 group stage games, the younger girls team (U14) advanced to the quarter final following victories over Eneby of Sweden (2-1), Akra of Norway (8-0) and Hovas/Bildal of Sweden (2-0).

In the first game, Marin FC shrugged off any lingering jet lag to suppress the advances of Eneby with a goal from Candy Janachowski and a headed winner from Lauren Kuchman. While the narrow score line belies the actual dominance Marin enjoyed, they were nevertheless grateful to get the tournament off to a winning start. An easy 8-0 win over Akra saw Rachel Ferm collect 5 goals.equaling in one game the tally collected by Germanys Golden Boot winner Thomas Mueller in the World Cup over the course of a month. Thea Harvey Brown, Chace Shornstein and Hannah Monroe scored the balance. And in an evening game that same day, a stronger Hovas team could not keep Marin at bay with goals from Minna Fingerhood and Rachel Ferm to finish off the group stage with a 2-0 win and guarantee Marins place in the quarter finals.

The quarter final saw another victory, this time over Norwegian team Trygg Lade with goals from Maria Harvey (2), Chace Shornstein (2) and a fine team goal after a great counter attack involving a Candy Janachowski run and low cross crisply met on the run by Kelsey McCarthy who side footed low into the corner.

In the semi final against Kungshamn of Sweden, it was Maria Harveys turn to be goal machine as she as plundered 3 for her hat-trick and with Rachel Ferm adding another to her count. So Marin FC U14 Girls advance to the Final of the Dana Cup for the second year running with a 5 and 0 record, and with 21 goals for and only one against.

The final will be played against Stars and Stripes, a Dallas, Texas based team who overcame a half time deficit to win 2-1.

The Final saw Marin FC in their Grey/Blue uniform play Stars and Stripes in a not so understated collage of the USA flag. Fortunately for Marin, it was only the opposition’s uniform that dazzled on a day that saw Marin FC play their best soccer of the tournament and emerge comfortable Dana Cup Champions for the second year running. As the teams were led out, it was very much a Texas v California affair played out on Denmark soil as the rival fans sang, shouted and cheered their respective teams. While the Stars and Stripes had their two Boys teams to support them, Marin FC recruited the best U15 Boys team of the tournament, the wonderful Soyapango Club from El Salvador to insure that we were matched up in the stands!!

There was very little to separate the teams in the early stages as both teams sought to establish themselves in midfield and avoid any unnecessary mistakes. The game exploded into life after 12 minutes as Chace Shornstein collected a loose ball 23 yards out and rifled it into the left hand side of the goal..still rising as it crossed the line. And within another 2 minutes, it was Shornstein again as she latched onto the ball around 15 yards out, swiveled and firmly shot into the bottom left hand corner. The dream start continued in the 20th minute as Ruby Baumbaughs corner evaded the clutches of the impressive Stars and Stripes goalie and floated in at the far post. As half time approached, few could have wished for a better start.

During the balance of the first half and during all of the second half, coaches Mattias Kodzoman and Jason Werner insured that all members of the 17 strong squad experienced playing in the Championship game with everyone getting plenty of playing time. Marin FC continued to keep a tight ship in the 2nd half and as the final whistle blew were assured of retaining the title gained in the equivalent game last year. Final score 3-0 to Marin FC. As the Marin FC players collected the medals and trophy, the stadium announcer awarded the Championship MVP to Chace Shornstein, who was outstanding as she led the forward line throughout the Championship game while scoring 2 excellent goals.
Marin FC leave Frederikshaven for the Gothia Cup in good spirits and ready for the next challenge. Way to go Marin FC!!!

The Novato Babe Ruth 14 Year Old All Stars opened their quest for a State Title with an 8-4 victory over Vallejo Saturday night. Evan Blandino started for Novato, and yielded only two earned runs in his five innings to earn the win. Blandino was aided by two fine running catches by Center Fielder Tommy Mazzariello, and Josh Walewander’s solid play at Shortstop. After Vallejo got their unearned run in the top of the third, Novato immediately responded with a four run bottom of the third, keyed by long doubles from Malik Hickerson and Chris Gorman.

Vallejo got a run back in their fourth inning, but again Novato answered back with two of their own to take a 6-2 lead going to the fifth. Vallejo battled back, and got another run in their fifth, but Novato once again took the momentum back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Freddy Paulenich singled to open Novato fifth, and Manager John Walewander sent in speedy Lorenzo Hernandez to pinch run, and signaled for a bunt to play for an insurance run. Nick Elsbree executed it beautifully, and when the third baseman’s throw to get Elsbree was late and high, Hernandez reached third and Elsbree was safe at first for an infield single. With runners now at second and third with two outs, Noah Lakritz delivered a two run single to right center to give Novato a more comfortable 8-3 lead. Malik Hickerson came in to stop another Vallejo comeback attempt in the sixth, and closed out the 8-4 victory by retiring five straight Vallejo batters. Hickerson finished his fine day with three hits, and Lakritz had two hits. Danny Madera added a key RBI.

Novato will continue play on Sunday at 7PM at Clark Field in Woodland against the winner of BelMateo and Woodland.

The Marin Ducks boys 7th grade AAU basketball team won the one day “Cut the Net Tournament” held by NorCalHoops in Lodi this past weekend. The Ducks went 3-0 on the day beating Team Performance of Antioch 58-20, BFS Blackout of Stockton 63-47, and the Laguna Redbirds 71-40. The Ducks were lead by returning players, guards Devin Williams and Kyle Roach and center Nick Obazuaye as well as newcomers, guards Josiah Holland and Michael Septimo and new center Eric DeLeon Guitierrez.